Feline Infectious Anemia

Feline Infectious Anemia, a parasitic disease, is known by several names. Hemobartonellosis or feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis are also names for this malady that affects cats all over the world. This infection attacks felines of all ages and breeds.

Intact males are high risk for disease.

Causes of Feline Infectious Anemia

The organisms that cause this disease are bacterial parasites that affect the outer surface of the cat’s red blood cells. This parasite is thought to be carried by fleas and ticks. It can also be contracted by bite wounds from affected cats.

The bacterium attaches itself to the surfaces of red blood cells. The cells then become inhibited in their ability to carry oxygen. When the immune system detects the infection, it begins to systematically destroy the red blood cells that carry the bacterium. This creates severe anemia in the affected cat over time.

The bacterium can often be found in the bloodstream of healthy cats. These cats have no signs or symptoms of illness and can live long lives as carriers of Feline Infectious Anemia. It is only when there is a weakness in the autoimmune system, such as with Feline Leukemia, that the bacterium is able to take over.

Cats at Risk

There are several risk factors:

• History of abscesses caused by cat
• Cats that have exposure to fleas, mosquitoes and ticks
• Intact males that exhibit fighting behaviors
• Cats that have had transfusions
• Kittens from infected queens

Symptoms

All affected cats have anemia to varying degrees. There are other signs as well that can vary from something as simple as lethargy to something as life threatening as shock. Some cases are very mild and hardly noticeable while in other cases cats have severe weakness and may even die.

Some symptoms to watch for are:

• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Pale or yellowish mucous membranes in the gums and nose
• Fever
• Tenderness
• Rapid breathing
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Eating dirt or used kitty litter
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Dehydration
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Subnormal body temperature

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis can be difficult. Since the bacterium disintegrates the cell wall of the red blood cell, it cannot be detected by culturing a blood sample. The blood sample must be thoroughly examined under a microscope to determine whether or not the blood cells have the characteristics of infected cells. The diagnosis is further impaired by the fact that the organisms cycle in a matter of hours so the number of cells changes. This can make it difficult to find the problem.

The PCR test, or polymerase chain reaction test, is a relatively new technique in microbiology utilizing DNA. This is the very best way to confirm the presence of Feline Infectious Anemia.

Other tests that your vet may want to run are:

• Complete blood count
• Coombs test
• Chemistry panel
• Urinalysis
• Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) testing
• Direct blood smear and microscopic analysis

Treatment consists of antibiotics like Doxycycline to fight the bacterial infection. Your vet will also probably prescribe a drug like Prednisone to suppress the immune system. This will keep your cat’s body from continuing to attack the red blood cells. The medications are usually given for a period of three weeks to make sure that all the bacteria has been eradicated from your cat’s system. Be sure to follow directions for dosage carefully.

If your pet is very ill, it may require blood transfusions to build up the red blood cell count. Carrier cats will not usually be treated for the disease unless they start exhibiting symptoms.

Prognosis

Prognosis is fair, depending on when the condition is diagnosed and treatment started.

If your cat has any of these symptoms, or if you are concerned about his or her health, make an appointment to see your veterinarian. It is better to be safe than lose a pet to a disease that is treatable in its early stages.

• Maine Coon Cat Pictures
• Holiday Cat Collars
• Cute Fuzzy Kittens
• Cat Breed Quiz

• Feline Hair Loss
• Cat Meow Sound
• Cats Illness Symptoms
• Illness In Older Cats Symptoms Of Dying
• Symptoms Bloody Stool in Cats

• Alternative Medicine for Cats
• Cat Eye Problems
• Am I Feeding Too Much
• Cat Collar on Neck Surgery
• Symptoms of Feline Leukemia